Senior Procurement Manager - LATAM

Ni Hao from Hong Kong, China!

Hong Kong is the hub of global manufacturing and an economic superpower with extensive trade relationships with almost every economy on the planet.

With offices in major ports including Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Quingdao, Shanghai, Shenzen, Xiamen, Ningbo, Dalian, Yantai and Zhongshan, ECU Worldwide China connects you with the entire globe with export and import services to all major ports in the world for LCL and FCL.

Senior Procurement Manager - LATAM

Strategic Sourcing and Procurement (LATAM Focus)

• Develop and execute comprehensive ocean freight procurement strategies tailored to the LATAM region, aligned with global company objectives, regional business needs, and customer requirements across key trade lanes (e.g., LATAM-US, LATAM-EU, intra-LATAM).
• Lead the annual ocean freight tender process for the LATAM region, including RFP/RFQ development, identification and evaluation of regional and global carriers with strong LATAM network coverage, and selection of optimal partners to ensure service quality and cost efficiency.
• Forecast and manage container volume commitments across LATAM trade lanes, collaborating with regional operations and sales teams to optimize capacity utilization, secure preferential allocation, and mitigate supply chain disruptions unique to the region (e.g., port infrastructure challenges, customs delays).
• Continuously assess and refine LATAM-specific procurement strategies to adapt to regional market conditions, regulatory changes, and evolving business priorities (e.g., expansion into new LATAM markets, shifts in customer demand).

Carrier and Vendor Management (LATAM Network)

• Cultivate and maintain strong, long-term partnerships with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, and local logistics service providers (LSPs) operating in the LATAM region, ensuring alignment with service level agreements (SLAs) and business goals.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on carrier and vendor performance against regional KPIs (e.g., on-time delivery, transit time reliability, cost compliance, customer satisfaction) for LATAM trade lanes, implementing corrective actions as needed to drive continuous improvement.
• Liaise with regional carrier representatives to address operational issues, resolve service disruptions, and leverage partnership opportunities to enhance supply chain efficiency in LATAM.

Cost Management and Negotiation

• Lead and conduct complex contract negotiations with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, and LSPs for LATAM trade lanes, securing favorable terms, conditions, pricing, and value-added services to drive cost savings and improve profitability.
• Manage the LATAM ocean freight procurement budget, identify and implement region-specific cost-saving opportunities (e.g., consolidated shipping, optimized route selection, volume discounts), and track procurement metrics to ensure financial targets are met.
• Analyze and benchmark LATAM ocean freight rates against regional market trends, competitor pricing, and global benchmarks, ensuring competitiveness and value for the organization.

Market Intelligence and Analysis (LATAM Region)

• Proactively monitor and analyze LATAM ocean freight market trends, including capacity fluctuations, rate volatility, port congestion, regulatory changes (e.g., local customs regulations, maritime laws in LATAM countries), and geopolitical factors impacting regional supply chains.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on LATAM ocean freight and logistics, providing strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership and internal stakeholders (e.g., operations, sales, finance) to support decision-making and business expansion in the region.
• Utilize data analytics and market intelligence tools to inform LATAM procurement decisions, optimize the carrier and vendor mix, and identify potential risks (e.g., political instability, port strikes) and opportunities (e.g., new trade routes, emerging carriers) in the region.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of procurement professionals (e.g., Procurement Specialists, Analysts) focused on LATAM procurement, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with internal departments across the LATAM region, including operations, sales, tradelane management, finance, and customer service, to ensure alignment of procurement activities with overall business strategy and regional objectives.
• Partner with global procurement teams to share best practices, align regional strategies with global standards, and leverage global carrier relationships for LATAM benefit.

Compliance and Risk Management (LATAM Focus)

• Ensure all LATAM procurement activities are in strict compliance with local maritime regulations, international trade laws, and company policies, including those set by regional authorities (e.g., Brazilian Maritime Authority, Mexican Customs) and global bodies (e.g., FMC, IMO).
• Identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks within the LATAM ocean freight supply chain, including port congestion, labor disputes, carrier insolvency, political instability, and customs delays, developing contingency plans to ensure supply chain continuity.
• Oversee the marine-cargo claims management process for LATAM trade lanes, working with carriers and internal teams to ensure timely and fair resolution of claims, minimizing financial impact on the organization.

Requirements \& Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• 8\+ years of progressive procurement experience in ocean freight and logistics, with at least 3\+ years in a leadership role, specifically focusing on the LATAM region (deep knowledge of LATAM trade lanes, carriers, and market dynamics is mandatory).
• Proven track record of developing and executing regional procurement strategies, leading tender processes, and negotiating complex contracts with ocean carriers and logistics providers in LATAM.
• Strong understanding of LATAM maritime regulations, international trade laws, and customs procedures across key LATAM countries (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leadership, carriers, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience in cost optimization, budget management, and driving measurable cost savings in a regional procurement context.
• Proficiency in data analytics and market intelligence tools, with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
• Fluency in English, Spanish is a strong plus.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.